Electric transformer and governor.



Patented Dec. 7, 1909.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

E. R. GLIFF. Y

ELECTRIC TRANSPORMBR AND GOVERNOR,

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 5. 1908.

W/TNESSES f r E. R. CLIP?.

ELECTRIC TRANSPORMER AND GOVERNOR.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 5. 190B.

942,544. Patented Dee. 7, 1909.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

, O1 BY Q UNITED STATES PATENT OFFTCE.

EDWARD E. CLIFF, OF NEW YRK, N. Y.

ELECTRIC TRANSEGRMER AND GOVERNOR.

Specification of Letters Patent. Patented Dec. IY, 1909.

Application filed March 5, 1908. Serial No. 419,340.

fb all whom it may concern:

lle it ltnown that I, EDWARD R. Curr, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Port Richmond, borough and county of Richmond, in the city and State of New York, iave invented certain new and useful 'Improvements in Electric Transformers and Governors, of which the following is a specification.

My invention is designed for use in connection with systems of electric lightii'ig, in which the lights or other units, operated by alternating currents, are arranged in serial circuits, and relates more particularly to the transformers and governors by which such currents are automatically transformed and regulated, and the strength of current in each circuit rendered unifor a whether the whole or only part of the lights or other units of such circuit are in operation; the object of the invention being to increase the etliciency of transformers and governors of this class and to provide mechanism of this character, which, while greatly simplified in some of its parts, shall, at the same time, be more durable and eflicient in operation.

To these ends, the invention consists in certain peculiarities of constructions and combinations of parts, the specific forms of which preferred in practice will lirst be described, and the novel features of the invention then pointed out in the subjoined claims.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this specification, Figure l, is a view in isometric projection of an electric transformer and governor constructed in accordance with my invention, the same being` shown as applied to the crossarms of a telegraph pole; Fig, Q', a view showing the inclosing case in vertical transverse section, with parts of the magnetic circuit and primary coil broken away, and a portion of the buoyant vessels removed; Fig. 3, a plan view of the transformer and governor, with the cover of the inclosing case removed; Fig. l, a horizontal transverse section of the magnetic circuit detached, talten in the plane a; fc of Fig. 2; Fig. 5, a plan view of one of the buoyant vessels detached, with a part of its top broken away; Fig. 6, a side elevation of the magnetic circuit detached, with a slightly modified arrangement of arimary and secondary coils thereon; Fig. 7, a horizontal transverse sectional detail detached, also taken in the plane 0/ 0; of Fig. 2 of a magnetic circuit of a slightly modified construction, with parts broken away, and `Fig. 8, a diagrammatic view', on a reduced scale, to be hereinafter' described.

ln all the figures, lilte letters of reference are employed to designate corresponding parts.

A indicates a magnetic circuit, which is or may be constructed of a number of open center rectangular frames or sections a disposed in radial relationship with respect to one another around a common axis, and united and firmly bound together at their inner edges to form by this union a central core al. ln the construction of this circuit soft iron is en-- ployed, and the circuit either cast therefrom in the appropriate form to suit it to its intended use, or made up from plates of that material as preferred. ln the form of the invention which l have selected for purposes of illustration however, the circuit is made up from soft iron plates, which are cut or otherwise pressed out into the required form, and the respective radiating frames or sections a built up from them by placing the plates side by side in the proper relationship to eilectthat result and then firmly binding' them together to form the completed structure. ln Fig. 3 of the drawing T have shown these constituent plates as constructed in trie forni of open center rectangles a2, while in 7 have illustrated them as made in the shape of imperforate rectangular strips a3, at, a5 and a, of the required dimensions to suit them to the purposes for which they are intended, with the strips as, which form the central or core portion al of the circuit, bent along their longitudinal median lines to the required extent to convert them into angle-iron, as shown. For binding these constituent plates together, in whichever of the forms they may be constructed, various means may be employed. l prefer however to malte use of angle irons al for the purpose, which are constructed of the proper form to tit between the adjacent radiating frames or sections a and are lirmly clamped upon their cooperating plates by bolts as, which are passed across the plates at the respective top and bottom ends of the radiating frames or sections from one angle-iron to the other and are pr vided on their free ends with appropriate nuts a. AV.s thus constructed in any of the ways specilied, a closed magnetic circuit is formed through which the magnetic lines of force will flow when excited by passing upward through and along the outer portions of the radiating sections a, and thence downward through the core al, and so on, long as the exciting cause ot this force is active.

Tithin the circuit A, and around the core al, as shown in Fig. 2, are arranged a primary coil B, and a. secondary coil B1, of which the primary coil B is secured to the magnetic circuit at the lower end et the core al, by cords or otherwise, with the secondary coil B1 disposed above it.v lith the primary and secondary coils thus arranged, the primary coil B is connected in circuit with the dynamo or other source of electric supply (not shown) through suitable conductors and 1, while the secondary coil B1, is connected in circuit with the lights or units through which its controlling or governing action is brought into use, by appropriate conductors Z22 and 3, as shown more particularly in Fig. 8, wherein the transformer and governor is illustrated, with its primary coil connected in circuit with a source of alternating electric current supply l, and its secondary coil or coils similarly connected in circuitwith a number of electric lights or other units bt arranged in series. The primary and secondary coils being arranged and connected as thus described, and the coil B1 supported in an over-balanced relationship with respect to the primary coil B, whenever an appropriate alternating current is supplied to the primary coil B, a. corresponding current will be induced in the secondary coil or coils and through it or them supplied to the lights or other units, with the result that such lights or other units will be brought into operation and through the mutual repulsive action ot the primary and secondary coils upon each other and through the unbalancing of the secondary coil such secondary coil will be moved thereby to the proper distance or distances from the primary coil B to supply the required strength ot current demanded by the number of lights or other units in operation. Having thus established an equilibrium between the primary and secondary coils, the secondary coil will remain at rest so long as the same number of lights or other units are in operation. lith the equilibrium thus existing, whenever one or more of the lights or other units is or are withdrawn from operation the strength oit the current in the circuit in which it or they is or are located will be increased thereby, and the equilibrium existing between the primary and secondary coils in consequence thereof will be disturbed, with the result that the secondary coil will, by the increased repulsive action of the two coils engendered by this increase in the strength ot the current, cause the secondary coil to move upward away from the primary coil to the extelit required to again restore the strength ot the current in which the lights or other units are located, and reestablish the equilibrium between such coils that before existed. Vhen, on the other hand, with the coils in equilibrium, if an additional light or unit is added to the secondary circuit, then the strength ot the current iowing through such circuit will be decreased and such equilibrium similarly disturbed., with the consequent ettqect that the secondary coil will, by the decreased repulsive action between it and the primary coil, permit the secondary coil by its unbalanced condition to approach the primary coil to the proper extent to increase the strength oit the current in its circuit to the requisite degree and reestablish the required equilibrium between the coils as it existed prior thereto. Thus, by the arrangement of the primary and secondary coils above explained, the strength of the current in which the lights or other units are located is ai'itomatically equalized and rendered uniform, whether a greater or less number of lights or units are in operation therein,

For supporting the secondary coil in unbalanced relationship with respect to the primary coil, I preferably malte use of a column ot liquid C, in which the coil is immersed; and, to this end, arrange the magnetic circuit with the primary and secondary coils thereon, in vertical position within an inclosing case l), which is or may be constructed of divers materials and in a variety ot.' t'orms. In the exemplitication ot the invention which l have selected tor purposes of illustration however, it is shown as cast from metal, with a closed bottom and a cap or cover D, which may be (iletachably secured in place thereon by screws Z that extend upward from lugs Z1 on the sides ot case, through suitable orilices formed in the cap cr cover and receives on their upper ends winged or thumb nuts (Z2, suitable packino being interposed between the upper edge ot the case and the under sui-tace of the cover when required. its thus constructed the inclosing case D receives the liquid which is supplied thereto, and which in great part or wholly submerges the magnetic circuit with the primary and secondary coils thereon. The liquid thus supplied to the inclosing case may be of various kinds. it is pret'erred however to employ tor the purpose some liquid that will not be ati'ected by the cold, such, tor instance, as oil or glycerin. lilith the parts thus arranged the secondary coil is free to be moved upward and downard within the liquid whereby to carry it toward or away from the primary coil B. ln order to overcome in part the gravity ot' the secondary coil however and increase its buoyancy to the required extent, I provide it with air chambers E on its upper surface,

as shown in the drawings. These air chambers may be of various forms. In the drawings however I have shown them as constructed in the form of closed rectangular vessels, and as secured in proper position upon the upper surface of the secondary coil, by cords or wires c, passed upward over and around each of the vessels in suitable longitudinal grooves or depressions c1 formed in it, and thence downward around the coil, whereby to permit. of these vessels moving up and down in the spaces between the adjacent radiating frames or sections c of the r-.iagneticI circuit as shown in Figs. 2, 3, 5, and ti. its thus secured in place a buoyant action is imparted to the secondary coil by the air conta' ied in these vessels IG; and in order to regulate and control their buoyant action, to the required extent, I tind it convenient to provide each of these vessels E with an aperture c2 in its top, through which liquids or other substance or substances may be supplied to its interior, and which may be hermctically sealed by any appropriate means, such, for instance, as a screw threaded plug c2.

its thus far described only one secondary coil has been employed and this has been located within the magnetic circuit A above the primary coil B. In some instances, however, I find it desirable to employ two of these secondary coils, and in those cases, instead of locating the primary coil in the magnetic circuit at the lower end of the core c-, I preferably arrange it mid-way the length of such core, in which relationship it may be lirmly secured in any appropriate manner, as, for instance, by cords passing around it and around the core, or otherwise, and locate the secondary coil B2 below it, as shown in Fig. G. IVith the secondary coil E2 thus arranged, it is connected in circuit with the secondary coil Bl and is arranged in overl alanced relationship with respect to the primary coil, whereby it may be moved toward and away from it in unison with the secondary coil Bl, as the strength of the current in the circuit in which these secondary coils are arranged may demand, being moved downward away from the primary coil when its companions secondary coil B1 is moved upward therefrom, and 'upward toward such primary coil when the coil BL is moved downward toward it. When two secondary coils B1 ant B2 are thus employed, both coils will be provided on their upper surfaces with air chambers Il, and both will be submerged within the liquid coliunn C in the inclosing case D in the same manner as is the case with the coil B1 when only a single secondary coil is employed.

lVith the magnetic circuit A and the primary and secondary coils arranged and operated as above described, the conductors I) and 1 through which the primary coil is connected in circuit with the source of electric supply, and the conductors Z22 and o through which the secondary coil or coils is or are connected in circuit with the lights or other units to he operated, enter the inclosing case D and a 'e conducted down -a d through the column of liquid C therein to their respective coils. To permit of this entrance to the case, I preferably construct it with an outwardly extending flange (Z3, which is provided in its under-surface with insulating' nipples Zt and Z5 that are formed with orifices d extending longitudinally through them and connecting with the interior of the case by a suitable passage-way or passage-ways formed in the flange iis thus equipped the conductors f and L2 L enter the case i) through their respective nipples (Zt and Z5 and, passing dowir ward through. suitable insulating tubes d? and (ZS secured to the sides of the radially disposed frames or sections c of the mag ctie circuit A, are connected at their lower ends to their respective primary coil B and secondary coil or coils B201' B1, and B2, suitable slaclr being allowed the conductors b2 and b3 to permit of the required upward and downward movement of the secondary coil or coils within the case.

In some instances the magnetic circuit A and the primary and secondary coils may be used without covering, except as may be required to bind the various parts together. I prefer however to wrap the coils and the whole or portions of the magnetic circuits with cords or tapes f and to thoroughly coat this covering and the portions of the magnetic circuit that are not covered thereby with varnish or shellac, but this is not essential and the parts may be left without such covering or coating and operate with etliciency.

For securing the transformer and governor to the cross-bars of a telegraph pole or other appropriate support, various means may be employed. A convenient expedientfor this purpose however consists of rods II, which, provided with outer over-turned ends It, are arranged in transverse relationship to the inclosing case in suitable orifices 71,1 formed in lugs h2 which extend outward. from the case I), with such rods provided on their inner ends with nuts 7a3.

With the various parts constructed and organized as above explained, a. transformer and governor is produced, which, while eX- ceedingly simple in construction and eilt cient in operation, admirably answers all the requirements of a structure of that character.

`While in the foregoing I have described the form of the invention which I prefer to employ in practice, I wish it distinctly understood that I do not limit myself strictly7 thereto, but reserve to myself the right to modify various of its coi'istituent parts without departing Jfrom the spirit of the invention.

Having now described my invention and ,specified certain oit the ways in which it is or may he carried into effect, Claim and desire to secure hy Letters Patent ot the United tlltates.y

l. rllhe combination7 with an inclosingase for reception of the operative parts oilt an electric transformer and governor conslruct ed with a detachable coter7 and with an outwardly extending flange that is yrovided with a passage-way or passage-ways formed therein, ot a series of insulatingv nipples arranged in such flange and Connecting with the. interior of the case through such passageway or passage-ways? substantially as descriheffl.

Q. rlhe combination, with a closed bottom inclosing oase provided with a detachable cover and constructed with an outwardly extending flange having a pasSage-way or passage-ways t'orined therein. ot a series ot insulating nipples arranged in such flange and connecting; with the interior of such inclosing case through .said passage-way or passage-waya.y and means by which the caso with its contained parte may he .secured to an appropriate support, .substantially as descrihed.

8. rlhe combination, with an inclosini)y case constructed with an outwardly extending flange and provided with insulating nipple-3l arranged therein and. with a passage-way or passagedvays leading` from such nipples to the interior otI the case. a magneticl circuitarranged in such inelosing case, and a, priiary and a Secondary coil arranged within such magnetic circuit, of conductors leading 'rom the primary and secondary coils to and through such insulating nipples and respectively adapted for connection in circuit with a source oil alternate current electric supply, and in Circuit with a series oit electrically operated units. substantially as described.

In testimony whereof l have hereunto set my hand, in the presence of two witnesses,

'c February, 1908.

this 29th day oi EDWARD R. CLIFF.

Witnesses:

VM. H. iirrLE'roN, GRACE T. DIXON. 

